California’s excellence in school leadership and student achievement took center stage last month at the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Education Leadership Awards. Held April 15-18, the exclusive in-person event honored the nation’s top administrators and student leaders.

The four-day summit provided a platform for professional learning, peer networking, and high-level recognition. Representing ACSA at the event was Bill Sanderson, director of Leadership Academies, who attended to support the California honorees and celebrate the state’s strong showing on the national stage.

Honoring exemplary administrators California was represented by two standout administrators whose dedication to their school communities earned them spots among the nation’s elite:

Derrick Lawson (Region 19): ACSA 2025 Secondary Principal of the Year.

Cara Vienna (Region 17):

ACSA 2025 Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. Notably, Vienna was also recognized as a finalist for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award.

Celebrating student excellence The event also recognized the “four pillars” of the National Honor Society — Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character — by awarding significant scholarships to California’s top students.

National Honor Society $5,000 Scholarship recipients from California were:

Christian Okafor (Helix Charter High School, La Mesa): With 750 hours of community service, Okafor spearheaded the “Bridging the Gap” project, an innovative intergenerational program connecting high school students with senior citizens. He was also presented with a California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition.

Suren Sanjay (Valencia High School, Placentia): A world-recognized Speech and Debate president, Sanjay was honored for his global initiative mobilizing youth against e-waste and driving international environmental action.

National Student Council $10,000 Scholarship recipient was:

Jake Munzaa (Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta): Though unable to attend in person, Munzaa was recognized for his work as a National Advocacy Institute scholar with the ACLU. His efforts have secured new funding for service projects and expanded student representation within his district.

A legacy of leadership For the California delegation, the NELA event was more than a ceremony; it was a testament to the strength of the leadership pipeline within the state.

“It was a truly memorable week witnessing our California leaders and students receive the national recognition they deserve,” Sanderson said. “Their commitment to service and excellence exemplifies the very best of our school communities.”